A broken gas main at the Tilcon Pompton Lakes Quarry leaked natural gas Wednesday, causing a temporary shutdown of Route 287, even though the gas dissipated in the air and did not affect surrounding communities.

In the quarry, on the Bloomingdale side of the plant, a gas main that fed the asphalt production portion of the facility was damaged, leaking natural gas, said Pompton Lakes Fire Chief Ron Fulsaro.

The gas was shut off by 10:46 a.m., said Cheryl Olcheski, a PSE&G spokeswoman.

"We had a break in the 6-inch gas main that feeds the quarry," Fusaro said. "It's still under investigation how it got broken."

The gas main did not feed any of the surrounding houses. It supplies gas only to the asphalt plant. The natural gas that leaked was carried by the wind toward the mountain abutting the quarry, away from residents, Fusaro said.

No injuries at Tilcon were reported in connection with the break, said Karen Edgar, a Tilcon spokeswoman.

At 10 a.m., PSE&G workers began excavating near the entrance to the quarry, using a jackhammer to open up the asphalt. The workers were searching for the shut-off valve to the natural gas line, Fusaro said.

"Crews made the area safe and are now making repairs," Olcheski said. "As repairs are being made, some gas meters at the quarry will be turned off. No other customers are affected."

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